Wow in the World Podcast Summary
Episode: Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Stumping the Shark
Date: April 10, 2026
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Theme: Shark Science – Surprising Facts About Sharks!
Episode Overview
In this installment of "Two Whats?! And A Wow!", Mindy and Guy Raz dive into the jaws of shark science! Through three game rounds, the hosts challenge listeners’ knowledge with wacky and wild shark facts—only one in each round is a true scientific "wow", and the rest are goofy red herrings. The energy is high, the jokes are plentiful, and the guests (young, enthusiastic listeners) are ready to stump even the sharpest shark! The episode is filled with interactive challenges, memorable laughs, and fascinating discoveries made extra engaging for kids and families.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
How the Game Works
- Each round features three statements about sharks:
- 1 is the mind-blowing "wow" (true).
- 2 are made-up "whats".
- If you guess correctly, you win a point!
- If incorrect, you have to do a silly physical challenge (e.g., swim away from an invisible shark).
Round 1: Shark Stomachs
(02:51–04:49)
- A: Sharks make great pets.
- B: Most sharks can see twice the colors humans can.
- C: Some sharks can turn their stomachs inside out.
Winning Wow:
- C is true! Some sharks turn their stomachs inside out, rinse them in seawater, and pull them back in.
- Quote [Harper, 03:49]:
"My wow is that some sharks can turn their stomach inside out, wash it with seawater, and tug it back in.”
- Why?
- Sharks often swallow food whole, leftovers (like bones) they can’t digest build up.
- Ejecting and rinsing the stomach keeps them healthy!
- Mindy [04:13]:
“Even though sharks have lots of teeth, a lot of species end up swallowing their food whole or in large pieces… So to get rid of the waste, some sharks can actually force their stomachs out of their mouths. The sharks give their stomachs a quick rinse in seawater and then pull them back into place.”
If you missed it:
- Challenge: "Swim away from a giant invisible shark!"
- [04:51]
Round 2: Sharks on the Move
(04:51–06:49)
- A: Megamouth hammerhead sharks don't have large mouths.
- B: Epaulette sharks can swim and walk at low tide.
- C: Hammerheads use their heads for undersea carpentry (!?).
Winning Wow:
- B is correct! Epaulette sharks can "walk" on the seafloor, and even survive on dry land for up to an hour.
- Quote [Asher, 05:56]:
"My wow in the world is that epaulette sharks can swim and walk at low tide."
- Details:
- Muscular, round fins double as “legs” for crawling on coral.
- Slow breathing/heart rate let them survive out of water.
- Guy Raz [06:37]:
“Epaulette sharks can even walk on land during low tide. They slow down their breathing and heart rate, which allows them to survive without water for up to an hour.”
If you missed it:
- Challenge: "Run around on your fins!"
- [06:49]
Round 3: Goblin Shark Attack!
(06:58–08:49)
- A: Silvertip sharks swim faster than cheetahs can run.
- B: Goblin sharks use extendable jaws to catch prey.
- C: Tiger sharks are actually tigers that just love swimming (ha!).
Winning Wow:
- B is true! Goblin sharks have extendable jaws that shoot forward to snatch prey at lightning speed.
- Quote [Legend, 07:55]:
“My wow is that there’s a type of shark called a goblin shark and it has extending jaws to snatch its prey.”
- Fun Fact:
- Goblin shark jaws extend at 10 feet per second—the fastest in the sea.
- Guy Raz [08:35]:
“Goblin sharks can extend their entire jaws to catch their prey and the speed of their bite is 10ft per second, which means they have the fastest jaws in the whole ocean.”
If you missed it:
- Challenge: "Spin around like a sharknado!"
- [08:49]
Bonker Balls Bonus Round
(11:07–12:19)
- Bonus Wow Topic: What sound scares animals most in Africa (besides human voices)?
- A: Baby’s scream & jet engine
- B: Dennis’s trombone & tambourine combo (oh my!)
- C: Lion’s growl & dog’s barking (Correct)
Answer:
- C is correct! Researchers found animals were most afraid of human voices, but also tested lion growls, dog barks, and bird sounds.
- Mindy [12:02]:
“If you answered C, you are correct... they also saw how [animals] reacted to lions growling, dogs barking and local bird sounds.”
Memorable Quotes & Light Moments
- Reggie’s comic relief and musical cues
- Mindy [03:15]:
“When you think you have the correct answer, yell, ‘We’re gonna need a bigger boat!’”
- Running gags:
- Silly round-ending challenges (“stop, drop, and...”)
- Mindy and Guy’s playful banter:
- Guy Raz [13:33]:
“Wow. That’s actually a pretty great prize. Are we taking everyone to the Great Barrier Reef or the Galapagos Islands?”
- Mindy: “Oh no, Guy Raz. We’re gonna do it right here. Put on your scuba masks, everyone.”
- Guy Raz [13:33]:
Notable Timestamps
- 01:54: Start of the game show
- 02:51–04:49: Round 1 (Shark Stomachs)
- 04:51–06:49: Round 2 (Epaulette Shark)
- 06:58–08:49: Round 3 (Goblin Shark)
- 11:07–12:19: Bonker Balls Bonus Round
- 13:16: Prizes & Membership Info
Takeaway for Listeners
The episode is a delightful dive into shark science, mixing genuine wow-worthy biology with laugh-out-loud humor and interactivity perfect for kids and families. The game-show style, relatable explanations, and memorable guest appearances ensure listeners will walk away with a trove of fun shark facts—and plenty of reasons to say, “Wow!”
Further Engagement
- Stay tuned: New episodes every Monday, plus more games and bonus shows each week.
- Get involved: Kids can send their own "wow" facts, and grownups can learn more or join the World Organization of Wowzers for extra activities at tinkercast.com.
Final Sendoff:
“Until then, keep on wowing!” – Mindy & Guy Raz